Swimming goggles

ABSTRACT

This invention provides swimming goggles that improve the field of vision, and particularly improve the field of vision while swimming. 
     The eye cup  2  comprises: a contact section that comes in contact with the area surrounding the eye; a peripheral section  6  that is located around that contact section and that, when worn, extends a specified distance forward in the viewing direction; and a forward-viewing section  7  that is arranged such that the bottom is located on the front end section of the bottom of the peripheral section  6,  and the top is located on or near the aforementioned contact section. Also, a difficult-viewing section  14  is located at least at the bottom part of the peripheral section  6  below the center position of the forward-viewing section  7  such that it is more difficult to see through than the top portion of the forward-viewing section  7,  which makes it possible to improve the field of vision as well as makes it possible to swim without sensing the light refraction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national stage of PCT/JP2002/011673 filed Nov. 8,2002 under the International Convention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to swimming goggles, and more particularly toswimming goggles that are most suitable to competitive swimming.

2. Description of the Related Art

Swimming goggles cover just the eyes and protect the eyes, as well ascreate a space in front of the eyes and adjust the focal point of theeyes. For human eyes, not having space in front of the eyes makes itimpossible to adjust the focal point, and when the eyes are openunderwater, everything is blurred and difficult to see.

Typical swimming goggles comprise a pair of eyecups that are connectedby a connecting belt, and a belt for wearing the goggles that isfastened between both ends of the eyecups.

The aforementioned pair of eye cups maintains a space in front of eachof the eyes, and when worn, are formed of a single piece of transparentplastic such that a flat forward-viewing section that is nearlyorthogonal to the direction of the forward line of vision is joined tothe forward end section of a cylindrical-shaped peripheral section thatextends in the direction of the forward line of vision. By keeping thisforward-viewing section at a specified location separated from the eyesby the cylindrical peripheral section, the forward field of vision is ina direction perpendicular to the flat forward-viewing section, which isgood. However, when swimming crawl in particular, the eyes are lookingupward to look in the direction of swimming. In this case, the field ofvision is not in a direction perpendicular to the forward-viewingsection, but is at an angle, so the swimmer may sense the lightrefraction, and it is possible that the field of vision will becomepoor.

Therefore, the inventors, first proposed swimming goggles having eyecups in which the length of the top part of the peripheral section inthe direction of the field of vision was made shorter than the otherparts of the peripheral section, and the flat forward-viewing sectionwas such that the top side was tilted in the direction toward the rearof the field of vision. Since the forward-viewing section is tilted,when the eyes are looking upward, the field of vision is in a directionthat is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the forward-viewingsection. Therefore, it is possible to swim without sensing the lightrefraction or being bothered by the light refraction, thus improving thefield of vision.

When wearing these swimming goggles and swimming crawl, the swimmerswims looking forward with the eyes just looking upward, so the field ofvision is good. However, when swimming with an up and down motion suchas in the breaststroke or butterfly, it is possible that the swimmerwill swim looking in both the direction of the forward-viewing sectionand the direction of the bottom part of the peripheral section. Whenlooking at the forward-viewing section and bottom of the peripheralsection at the same time, or when looking at the border between thosetwo sections, the light refraction in the forward-viewing section andthe bottom of the peripheral section is different, so what is seen isdifferent. For example, when looking through the bottom of theperipheral section, refracted light is sensed and what is seen appearsto be more curved than what is seen from the forward-viewing section.Therefore, two images are seen having different degrees of curvature,and it is possible that the swimmer will begin to feel dizzy ornauseous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Taking into consideration these circumstances, the object of thisinvention is to provide swimming goggles that improve the field ofvision as well as make it possible to swim without feeling lightrefraction.

In order to accomplish the aforementioned object, the swimming gogglesof this invention are swimming goggles having a pair of left and righteye cups and where each eye cup comprises: a contact section that comesin contact with the area surrounding the eye; a peripheral section thatis located around that contact section and that, when worn, extends aspecified distance forward in the viewing direction; and aforward-viewing section that is arranged on that peripheral section; andwhere the length in the viewing direction of the top part of theaforementioned peripheral section is formed such that it is shorter thanthe other parts of the peripheral section; and a difficult-viewingsection is located at least at the bottom part of the aforementionedperipheral section below the center position of the aforementionedforward-viewing section such that it is more difficult to see throughthan the top portion of the forward-viewing section.

Also, the swimming goggles of this invention are swimming goggles havinga pair of left and right eye cups where each eye cup comprises: acontact section that comes in contact with the area surrounding the eye;a peripheral section that is located around that contact section andthat, when worn, extends a specified distance forward in the viewingdirection; and a forward-viewing section that is arranged on thatperipheral section; and where the top end section of the forward-viewingsection is formed such that it is located near the aforementionedcontact section; and a difficult-viewing section is located at least atthe bottom part of the aforementioned peripheral section below thecenter position of the aforementioned forward-viewing section such thatit is more difficult to see through than the top portion of theforward-viewing section.

Moreover, the swimming goggles of this invention are swimming goggleshaving a pair of left and right eye cups where each eye cup comprises: acontact section that comes in contact with the area surrounding the eye;a peripheral section that is located around that contact section andthat, when worn, extends a specified distance forward in the viewingdirection; and a forward-viewing section that is arranged on thatperipheral section; and where the top end section of the forward-viewingsection is directly connected to the aforementioned contact section; anda difficult-viewing section is located at least at the bottom part ofthe aforementioned peripheral section below the center position of theaforementioned forward-viewing section such that it is more difficult tosee through than the top portion of the forward-viewing section.

It is preferred that the aforementioned forward-viewing sectioncomprises: a vertical section that extends a specified distance upwardfrom the bottom end section to a position below the center position; anda main-viewing section that is inclined from the vertical sectionbackward from the viewing direction to or near the aforementionedcontact section.

It is preferred that the border between the aforementioned verticalsection and aforementioned main-viewing section be curved.

It is preferred that the aforementioned forward-viewing section beformed into a curved shape.

It is preferred that the border between the aforementioned peripheralsection and aforementioned forward-viewing section be curved.

It is preferred that the aforementioned difficult-viewing section belocated on all or part of the aforementioned vertical section.

It is preferred that the aforementioned difficult-viewing section beformed by using coloring, patterning, graphic images, text, gradation,mesh shading, mirror coating, texturing, semi-transparency or acombination of these.

It is preferred that the aforementioned difficult-viewing section beformed using coloring, and the aforementioned forward-viewing section beformed such that it is the same color as or a different color than theaforementioned difficult-viewing section, and that the color be easierto see through than that of the aforementioned difficult-viewingsection.

The difficult-viewing section can also be such that it is colored andthat the aforementioned forward-viewing section be transparent.

Also, it is possible that when forming the eye cup with a mold, thecolor of the aforementioned difficult-viewing section and the color ofthe aforementioned forward-viewing section be formed at the same time.

Moreover, it is possible to form just the aforementioneddifficult-viewing section separately, and then fit it over the eyecup.

Furthermore, it is also possible to locate the difficult-viewing sectionbelow the center position of the aforementioned forward-viewing section.

Also, it is possible to locate the difficult-viewing section on at leastthe bottom part of the aforementioned peripheral section.

Moreover, it is also possible for the vertical section to be inclined.The ‘inclination’ referred to here is the optimum angle foraccomplishing the object of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the swimming goggles ofthis invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the eyecup ofthis invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the eyecupof this invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the eyecupof this invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the eyecupof this invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the eyecupof this invention.

FIG. 7 is front view showing another example of the difficult-viewingsection of the invention.

FIG. 8 is front view showing another example of the difficult-viewingsection of the invention.

FIG. 9 is front view showing another example of the difficult-viewingsection of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing another example of the difficult-viewingsection of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing another example of the difficult-viewingsection of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a swimmer wearing the swimming gogglesshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing the relevant part of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a swimmer that is swimming crawl.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing a swimmer that is swimming backstroke.

FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the swimming gogglesof another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detailbelow based on the supplied drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example of the swimming goggles of this invention. FIG. 2is an example of a cross-sectional view of the eyecup of this invention.FIG. 3 thru FIG. 6 is cross-sectional drawings of other examples of theeyecup of this invention.

In FIG. 1 thru FIG. 6, 1 indicates the swimming goggles, and theseswimming goggles 1 comprise: a pair of left and right eye cups 2, 2 thatcover just the eyes and protect the eyes; a connecting band 3 thatconnects the pair of eye cups 2, 2; and an adjustable-length supportband 4 that is attached to both ends of the connected pair of eye cups2, 2.

The connecting band 3 is made of a flexible and stretchable material;for example, a soft plastic material such as polyurethane plastic. Also,a connecting band 3 is used that is capable of adjusting the lengthbetween the pair of eyecups 2, 2. The support band 4 can be anything aslong as its length is adjustable and is stretchable; for example, a bandmade of a rubber type of stretchable elastic material can be used.

The pair of eye cups 2, 2 each comprises: a contact section 5 that comesin contact with the area around the eye; a peripheral section 6 that islocated around that contact section 5, and when worn, extends aspecified distance in the forward direction of the field of vision; anda forward-viewing section 7 whose bottom end section is located on thebottom front end section of the peripheral section 6, and whose topsection is located on or near the aforementioned contact section 5. Theeye cup 2 can be made into one piece using transparent plastic such ascellulosic plastic, acrylic plastic, polycarbonate, or the like, or canbe made such that just the forward-viewing section 7 is made oftransparent plastic and the contact section 5 and peripheral section 6are made of a hard material.

The contact section 5 is formed into a shape such that when it is incontact with the area around the eye, water cannot enter into the eyecupfrom any gaps. In order to improve the seal and also so that the facearound the eye does not hurt, a cushion 8 is placed around the contactsection 5. This cushion 8 can be removable when necessary.

The peripheral section 6 is formed such that the contact section 5 islocated around one end and the forward-viewing section 7 is located onthe other end, and is shaped such that the bottom section and left andright sections extend a specified distance forward in the direction ofthe field of vision (nearly a cylindrical shape). As shown in FIG. 2 andFIG. 3, the top section of the peripheral section 6 is formed such thatits length in the direction of the field of vision is shorter than otherparts of the peripheral section 6 (for example the bottom section of theperipheral section 6), and it is particularly preferred that it beextremely short. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4 thru FIG. 6, theperipheral section 6 can be formed into a shape such that the top endsection of the forward-viewing section 7 is connected directly to thecontact section 5, and the top section of the peripheral section 6 isdone away with. In other words, the top section of the peripheralsection 6 to which the top end section of the forward-viewing section 7is connected is formed shorter than the other parts of the peripheralsection 6, or the top end section of the forward-viewing section 7 isconnected directly to the contact section 5.

The bottom section, left and right sections and the top section whenthere is one of the peripheral section 6 can also be formed such thatthey are parallel with the viewing direction, or can be formed such thatthey are gradually inclined toward the eye side in the forward viewingdirection. Taking into consideration the resistance in the water, it ispreferred that they be inclined.

The shape of the forward-viewing section 7 (lens surface) is notparticularly limited as long as it extends to or near the contactsection 5; for example, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, it can be flat,or as shown in FIG. 6, it can be curved.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the forward-viewing section 7 (lens surface)can be formed such that it comprises a flat plate-shaped main-viewingsection 9 that is inclined from the top end section a specified distancedownward in the forward viewing direction, and a flat plate-shapedinclined section 10 that is inclined from the bottom end of that mainviewing section 9 to the aforementioned peripheral section (bottomperipheral section) 6 in the backward direction from the viewingdirection. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the forward-viewing section 7(lens surface) can also be formed such that it comprises a flatplate-shaped main-viewing section 9 that is inclined from the top endsection a specified distance downward in the forward viewing direction,and a flat plate-shaped vertical section 11 that extends from the bottomend of that main viewing section 9 to the aforementioned peripheralsection (bottom of the peripheral section) 6 such that it is nearlyorthogonal with the viewing direction.

When the forward-viewing section 7 is formed such that is comprises amain-viewing section 9 and inclined section 10 or vertical section 11 inthis way, it is preferred that the border between the main-viewingsection 9 and the inclined section 10 or vertical section 1 be formedinto a curved shape.

Also, it is preferred that the angle at which the forward-viewingsection 7 and main viewing section 9 crosses a plane that is orthogonalto the viewing direction be in the range 0 to 40°. By setting the anglein this way, the range of the viewing angle becomes 31° to 67°, and itis possible to obtain a large attack angle. Incidentally, in the case ofconventional swimming goggles, the aforementioned viewing angle is 20°to 41°.

Therefore, the swimmer is able to check in front and swim with littlewater resistance while at the same time keeping the head as much aspossible in a horizontal state.

Moreover, it is preferred that the main-viewing section 9 be formed suchthat the bottom end section is high with respect to the top end section;and when worn, it is preferred that the border 12 between theaforementioned main-viewing section 9 and inclined section 10 orvertical section 11 be positioned lower than the position of the centerof the swimmer's eye, and particularly, it is preferred that the border12 be formed and set such that it is positioned in the proximity of thebottom eyelid of the swimmer's eye.

This is in order to prevent a difference in actual distance andperceived distance due to light refraction of the main-viewing section 9of the aforementioned forward-viewing section 7 that occurs in the waterwhen the aforementioned border 12 is at the same level as the viewingdirection of the eye.

For example, when the aforementioned border 12 is at the same level asthe viewing direction of the eye as described above, objects appear tobe located approximately 10 cm closer than the actual distance.

Therefore, touching the wall when performing a quick turn is done toosoon, and there is a possibility that it will not be possible to touchthe wall properly, in competitive swimming when the race comes down to1/100 sec., this could be very crucial.

Also, the more this border 12 is lower than the center of the eye, themore possible it is to keep the error described above to a minimum, andby having it lower than the center of the eye, it does not hinder thefield of vision, and it possible to maintain a good field of vision.

Moreover, it is preferred that the border 13 between the bottom endsection of the forward-viewing section 7 and the peripheral section 6 becurved. By curving this border 13 in this way, there are no horizontallines in the forward-viewing section 7, and thus viewing becomes good.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 thru FIG. 13, a difficult-viewingsection 14 from which it is more difficult to see from than the top ofthe forward-viewing section 7 is located lower than the center of theeye E, or more preferably, lower than the eye E of the swimmer H who iswearing the eye cups 2, 2.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 for example,when this difficult viewing section 14 is formed into a flat plate shapeor curved plate shape, it is located at the bottom of the peripheralsection 6. It does not necessarily need to be located on theforward-viewing section 7, however, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG.6, it is preferred that it be located from below the eye E of theswimmer H (see FIG. 12) who is wearing the forward-viewing section 7 tothe bottom of the peripheral section 6.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, when the forward-viewing section 7is formed such that it comprises a main-viewing section 9 and inclinedsection 10 or vertical section 11, it is preferred that thedifficult-viewing section 14 be located over the bottom of theperipheral section 6 and part (preferably from the center to the bottom)or all (it is located over all in the examples shown in the figures) ofthe inclined section 10 or vertical section 11. It is not necessary thatit be located on the main-viewing section 9, however, it is preferredthat it be located from a position below the eye E of the swimmer H whois wearing the main viewing section 9 to the inclined section 10 orvertical section 11.

The difficult-viewing section 14 is formed such that it is moredifficult to see through than the upper portion of the forward-viewingsection 7.

Being more difficult to see through than the upper portion of theforward-viewing section 7 referred to in this invention, means forexample that it is possible to see enough so that there is no problem onland such as when walking on the pool side, but that it is moredifficult to see through than the upper portion of the forward-viewingsection 7 when in water or when swimming; for example, it is possible tosee (check) the flag lines located above the pool when swimming thebackstroke as shown in FIG. 15. The flags are not always set up,however, for example, for a 25-meter pool, they are set up at 5 m, 12.5m and 20 m, and for a 50-meter pool, they are set up at 5 m, 25 m and 45m.

The difficult-viewing section 14 can be any shape as long as it ispossible to make it more difficult to see through than the upper portionof the forward-viewing section 7; for example, it can be formed suchthat it is colored, has a pattern, an image, text, gradation, is shaded,has a mirror coating, is textured, or is semi-transparent or acombination of these.

More particularly, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, thedifficult-viewing section 14 can be formed by coloring 15. In this case,the coloring 15 is not particularly limited, and can be any color.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, together with performing coloring 15 to form adifficult-viewing section 14, it is possible to perform coloring 16 ofthe eyecup 2 in the part other than the difficult-viewing section 14(must include the forward-viewing section 7) that is easier to seethrough than the coloring 15. In that case, the color 15 of thedifficult-viewing section 14 and the color 16 of parts other than thedifficult-viewing section 14 can be the same color or different colors.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to use text 17 to form thedifficult-viewing section 14. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, it ispossible to perform gradation 18 to form the difficult-viewing section14. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to use a pattern 19 toform the difficult-viewing section 14. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11, itis possible to use mesh shading 20 to form the difficult-viewing section14. Furthermore, it is also possible to use a mirror coating ortexturing.

The method for forming the difficult-viewing section 14 is notparticularly limited, and any method can be used; for example, when theforward-viewing section 7 and peripheral section 6 are formed into onepiece, it is possible to use coloring 15, 16, patterning 19, graphicimages, text 17, gradation 18, mesh shading 20 or the like in just onedesired location. Also, when forming the forward-viewing section 7 andperipheral section 6, it is possible to form them by layering a layer ofthe difficult-viewing section 14 such as coloring 15, 16, patterning 19,graphic image, text 17, gradation 18, mesh shading 20 or the like ontop. Moreover, it is also possible to apply the coloring 15, 16,patterning 19, a graphic, text 17, gradation 18, mesh shading 20 or thelike as a sticker. It is also possible to use mirror coating ortexturing.

By making the swimming goggles 1 of this invention in this way, it ispossible to improve the field of vision.

In other words, when swimming crawl particularly, the eyes look upwardto see in the forward swimming direction. In this case, when the fieldof vision is inclined with respect to the forward-viewing section ratherthan being orthogonal, light refraction may be sensed, and it ispossible that the field of vision will become poor. As shown in FIG. 2thru FIG. 6, with the swimming goggles 1 of this invention, the top endsection of the forward-viewing section 7 (main-viewing section 9) islocated around or near the contact section 5 of the eye cup 2. Since theforward-viewing section 7 (main-viewing section 9) extends to or nearthe contact section 5, the forward-viewing section 7 (main-viewingsection 9) is such that the top is inclined in the direction backwardfrom the viewing direction. The field of vision when the eyes arelooking upward is in a direction that is orthogonal or nearly orthogonalwith respect to the forward-viewing section 7 (main-viewing section 9).Therefore, there is no feeling or very little feeling of lightrefraction, and viewing in the upward direction becomes good. Therefore,it is possible to improve the field of vision and especially improve thefield of vision in the upward direction.

As shown in FIG. 14 when the swimming goggles 1 are worn and the swimmeris swimming crawl, the field of vision in the forward direction is good(the top of the goggles 1), so it is possible to look forward by simplymoving the eyes, and thus form is inevitably improved, resulting inimproved time. Also, even in a crowded pool the field of vision isenlarged, so it becomes possible to swim at ease without bumping intoother people. Since it is possible to maintain safety at the same time,the practical effect is very large.

Also, the swimming goggles 1 of this invention have a difficult-viewingsection 14, so it further becomes possible to swim without feeling lightrefraction.

In other words, for example, when the swimmer wears swimming goggles(goggles not having a difficult-viewing section 14) that are formed suchthat the forward-viewing section 7 comprises a main-viewing section 9and vertical section 11 and swims crawl as shown in FIG. 14. When doingthis, the swimmer swims looking forward with just the eyes looking up,and mainly uses just the main-viewing section 9, so there is hardly anyproblem. However, when swimming in an up and down motion such as whenswimming breaststroke or butterfly, it possible that the swimmer willlook through both the main-viewing section 9 and vertical section 11.For example, some swimmers will use the main-viewing section 9 whenlifting the face out of the water, and use the vertical section 11 whenin the water. In this case, when viewing separately through themain-viewing section 9 and vertical section 11, there is no realproblem. However, when looking through the main-viewing section 9 andvertical section 11 at the same time, or when looking through the bordersection 12 between them, the inclination angle of main-viewing section 9and vertical section 11 differ, so light refraction is different andwhat is seen appears to be different. For example, when looking throughthe vertical section 11, the light refraction is felt, and things appearmore curved than when looking through the main-viewing section 9.Therefore, two images having different degrees of curvature are seen,and it is possible that the swimmer may become nauseous.

Also, when bending and turning the body as when making a turn, nearlythe entire eyecup 2 is used, so two images having different degrees ofcurvature are seen, and there is a possibility that the swimmer maybecome nauseous or dizzy.

Moreover, when there are lines drawn on the bottom of the pool and theswimmer looks at those lines when swimming, there is no problem as longas there are no other lines except those on the bottom. However, whenthe bottom has seams such as grid lines made by the laid tiles, thelines may appear to bend.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 thru FIG. 13, by forming adifficult-viewing section 14, when there is a part that is easy to lookthrough (the portion of the forward-viewing section 7 where thedifficult-viewing section 14 is not formed in the examples shown in FIG.2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, or the main-viewing section 9 in the examplesshown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5) and a part that is difficult to look through(difficult-viewing section 14), a person will inevitably use the partthat is easy to look through. Particularly, while swimming, the swimmeruses the part that is easy to look through, and no longer looks throughthe main-viewing section 9 and vertical section 11 at the same time orlooks through the border 12 between them, so it is possible to swimwithout feeling the light refraction.

Moreover, by forming a difficult-viewing section 14, the swimmer triesto more effectively use the main-viewing section 9 in order to maintainthe forward field of vision while swimming, so the swimmer swims usingjust the main-viewing section 9. That is, the swimmer understands(realizes) naturally without having to explain the correct direction tolook in order to maintain the forward field of vision.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, the vertical section FB can also beinclined within the range FB to FD (a), or FB to FE (b) (E is the centerof the peripheral section BC).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

With this invention, together with being able to obtain swimming gogglesthat are capable of improving the field of vision, it becomes possiblefor the swimmer to swim without feeling the light refraction.

What is claimed is:
 1. Swimming goggles having a pair of left and righteye cups comprising: a contact section that comes in contact with thearea surrounding the eye; a peripheral section that is located aroundthat contact section and that, when worn, extends a specified distanceforward in the viewing direction; and a forward-viewing section that isarranged on that peripheral section; and where the length in the viewingdirection of the top part of said peripheral section is formed such thatit is shorter than the other parts of said peripheral section; and adifficult-viewing section is located at the bottom part of saidforward-viewing section such that it is more difficult to see throughthan the top portion of said forward-viewing section.
 2. The swimminggoggles of claim 1 wherein said forward-viewing section comprises: avertical section that extends a specified distance upward from thebottom end section to a position below the center position; and amain-viewing section that is inclined from the vertical section in thebackward direction from the viewing direction to or near said contactsection.
 3. The swimming goggles of claim 2 wherein the border betweensaid vertical section and said main-viewing section is curved.
 4. Theswimming goggles of claim 2 wherein said difficult-viewing section islocated on all of said vertical section.
 5. The swimming goggles ofclaim 2 wherein said difficult-viewing section is located on part ofsaid vertical section.
 6. The swimming goggles of claim 5 wherein saiddifficult-viewing section is formed by using coloring, patterning,graphic images, text, gradation, mesh shading, mirror coating,texturing, semi-transparency or a combination of these.
 7. The swimminggoggles of claim 5 wherein said difficult-viewing section is formedusing coloring, and said forward-viewing section is formed such that itis the same color as or a different color than said difficult-viewingsection, and that the color is easier to see through than that of saiddifficult-viewing section.
 8. The swimming goggles of claim 5 whereinsaid difficult-viewing section is formed such that it is colored, andsaid forward-viewing section is transparent.
 9. The swimming goggles ofclaim 8 wherein when forming said eyecup with a mold, the color of saiddifficult-viewing section and the color of said forward-viewing sectionare formed at the same time.
 10. The swimming goggles of claim 8 whereinsaid difficult-viewing section is formed separately, and then fittedover said eyecup.
 11. The swimming goggles of claim 10 wherein saiddifficult-viewing section is located below the center position of saidforward-viewing section.
 12. The swimming goggles of claim 11 whereinsaid difficult-viewing section is located on at least the bottom part ofsaid peripheral section.
 13. The swimming goggles of claim 12 whereinsaid vertical section is inclined.
 14. The swimming goggles of claim 1wherein said forward-viewing section is formed into a curved shape. 15.The swimming goggles of claim 1 wherein the border between saidperipheral section and said forward-viewing section is curved. 16.Swimming goggles having a pair of left and right eye cups comprising: acontact section that comes in contact with the area surrounding the eye;a peripheral section that is located around that contact section andthat, when worn, extends a specified distance forward in the viewingdirection; and a forward-viewing section that is arranged on saidperipheral section; and where the top end section of saidforward-viewing section is formed such that it is located near saidcontact section; and a difficult-viewing section is located at thebottom part of said forward-viewing section such that it is moredifficult to see through than the top portion of said forward-viewingsection.
 17. Swimming goggles having a pair of left and right eye cupscomprising: a contact section that comes in contact with the areasurrounding the eye; a peripheral section that is located around thatcontact section and that, when worn, extends a specified distanceforward in the viewing direction; and a forward-viewing section that isarranged on said peripheral section; and where the top end section ofsaid forward-viewing section is directly connected to said contactsection; and a difficult-viewing section is located at the bottom partof said forward-viewing section such that it is more difficult to seethrough than the top portion of said forward-viewing section.